The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that cases of West Nile virus rose 40 percent last week and are on pace to hit the record levels of 2002 and 2003.

The CDC says 1,590 cases have now been confirmed with 66 deaths. Half the cases have been in Texas.

The CDC is optimistic that cases have reached their peak but admit that it’s likely things could continue into October. The excessively hot and dry summer is assumed by health officials to be a mitigating factor in the increase in the spread of the virus.

New York City has announced that they will begin spraying parts of Manhattan with pesticide in an attempt to keep the virus from spreading in the city. The city reports an increase in virus activity in the area due to an increased mosquito population.